Question

A cell contains 1 pair of chromosomes. One chromosome contains the R, E, and L alleles. The other chromosome contains the r, e, and 1 alleles. At the end of cell division, the genotypes of the resulting gametes are 50% REL and 50% rel. Which type of cell division occurred?

Answer 1

The type of cell division that occurred when the cell containing one pair of chromosomes produced 50% REL and 50% rel gametes is meiosis, resulting in haploid gametes with unique allele combinations.

Step-by-step explanation:

The cell division described, where a cell with one pair of chromosomes produces gametes that are 50% REL and 50% rel, indicates that the process is meiosis. In meiosis, DNA replication is followed by two rounds of cell division, reducing the chromosome number by half and resulting in haploid gametes. Each gamete will receive one allele from each gene, following Mendel's law of segregation, ensuring genetic diversity through the combination of unique alleles. The resulting gametes are haploid, meaning they contain one complete set of chromosomes, which is clearly evidenced by the presence of both REL and rel combinations.